“Then it was revealed that Milton Wiser was a “confidence man who had played out his racket and disappeared, owing many people in defaulted debts and checks that bounced.”
Montclarion Jan 1, 1958
Milton Wiser and his associates were promoters of Heavenly Candies by Haas up and down the West Coast.
Their sales pitch told of up to $10,000 profits a year. The cost to the prospect was $4500 (or any amount from $1200 to $6,000), plus candy stock.
How could they go wrong? The product was backed by daily promotion on the Queen for the Day t.v. Show. The famous Haas candy company of Oakland made the candy.
Haas Distributing Co of Oakland
When Wisser came to Oakland in 1956, he made arrangements with Louis Chiodo, the owner of Chiodo Candy Co., to provide candy for the stores.
Wiser organized Haas Distributing Co. to buy products from Chiodo. Wiser invited the name Heavenly Candies and added: “By Haas.”
Chiodo was advised by the Oakland Better Business Bureau, of which he was a sponsor, that Wisers activities should be questioned, and they were aware of Wiser’s activities elsewhere.
Chiodo became concerned about the payment for candy he sold to Haas in December 1956. At that time, he was owed $58,000. Because of this, he did not extend any more credit to any of the Heavenly Candy Stores (that Wiser started and sold). The was one exception. He provided Dolly Monks with candy for her store on credit.
Bounced Checks
The bank account at the College Avenue branch of Bank Of America was closed with many outstanding checks, which bounced.
Dolly Monks was shocked when several local Montclaions brought in “rubber checks” from Heavenly Candies.
Calls to their office were switched to a recorded message “You have reached a discontinued number.”
Unhappy Owner
Edward Topping, who opened a Heavenly Candy store on Grand Ave, told. The Montclarion (August 21, 1957) was not satisfied with the way Wiser’s outfit had not fulfilled its promises.
He had been sold on the “package deal.” which gave him for a cost of $4500 a complete store ready to operate. He was also promised a “grand opening,” including lights, a majorette to give away candy, etc. He opened his store with no fanfare, and nobody showed up from Haas Distributing Co or provided anything to give away.
Haas did provide women to help Topping get started. But they paid her with rubber checks.
Police Investigation
The Oakland Police Department’s grand theft detail began an investigation into Wiser in August 1957. They hoped to gather enough evidence of fraud that can convict the man. Wiser operated just short of breaking the law.
On the surface, they appeared to be running a legitimate business. Of the 100 stores sold on the West Coast, no more than 50 were still open after the first year. Many of the owners lost their original fees.
When Wiser closed out his bank account many checks were outstanding and of course, bounced. Many other debts incurred by Wiser just simply not paid by check or otherwise.
Various Names Used
It looks like (from the articles I read) Wiser was using the name Haas as in the Geo. Haas and Sons Candy stores. Geo. Haas Candy Company went bankrupt in 1940.
- Haas Distributing Co.
- Haas Heavenly Candies of Oakland
- Haas Chocolates of Oakland
- J.H.Hass Distributing Co
- Heavenly Candies by Haas
Now I haven’t found much else on Milton Wiser after 1958. But if I do I will update this post.
The End
Disclaimer: Now I don’t if Milton Wiser was guilty of anything or if he was a “confidence man” as reported in the Montclarion. As far I can tell he didn’t get his day in court of give his side of the story.
Sources
- Candy Promoter Disappears as Checks Bounce – The Montclarion August 21, 1957
- Sad Story of Milton Wiser Unwinds – The Montclarion August 21, 1957
- Case Against Promoter Studied By Police – The Montclarion August 28, 1957
- Wiser’s Bad Checks Paid By Ex-Aide – The Montclarion September 11, 1957
- End of An Era Haas Co. to Close – SF Examiner Feb 29, 1940
- Haas To Open Stores – Valley Times Aug 28, 1956
- To Open New Store in S.B. – San Bernardino Times Sept 6, 1956
How much better our world would be without con artists, Ponzi schemers and grifters. Thanks for a great story nontheless..
Thanks